PENUMBRA // Tamaki Amajiki x Reader Royal AU

Chapter 7

"So yer a travelling merchant, eh?" the woman I met yesterday, who ran the pastry stall, Mrs Toyomitsu her name was, questioned me about my background, "then why did yous eat the tart before paying yesterday, a good merchant would never do that?"

Mrs Toyomitsu's questions were causing me to sweat a little, I did not expect to be asked this many about my background, I assumed a simple explanation would suffice, "Oh, I am not really into their trade... or any at all, being a merchant is not for me so I never picked up on any... merchant habits." crossing my fingers, I hoped that sounded believable to Mrs Toyomitsu, because it did not sound believable in my head.

The large woman peered at me out of what appeared to be curiosity disguised as suspicion, "Well then, why are you still travelling with them?" she seemed to be about to go on a tangent, "Surely you don't still wanna live with yer parents? If you don't wanna be a merchant, then why stick with them? The life of a merchant can be a dangerous one, who knows who or what could be out there waiting for you when you get back on the road? Why don't you settle down, find someone nice, get married, have some cute babies? A girl as charming as you could have anyone you want wrapped around yer finger."

Overwhelmed with questions, I took a minute to check that no last-minute customer was waiting to buy pastries, "Ah, which question would you like me to answer first?" Mrs Toyomitsu laughed a hearty one, "Oh dear, don't you mind me. There's no need to answer my questions. But I would like to know one: why don't you leave?"

Her smile showed only sincerity, so I took my time to think about the answer, "I have not yet found the right kingdom to settle down in." she pouted at me, "does our kingdom not suit yer fancy? Oh I know, wait until you see them fancy-schmancy folk, I bet you'd fit right in with them, then you'd wanna stay."

"I suppose you will have to point me in their direction then." I grinned at Mrs Toyomitsu pretending to prepare to set off. "Way up there, you'd better start walking if you wanna make it there before sunrise, us working class folk look much more poor in the day's sun." Her arm stretched out, finger pointing towards the castle.

I held in a giggle and played along, "Perhaps I will. The prince would be a more worthy suitor than anyone in this village." I went wide-eyed and clenched my teeth when I realised what I had just said.

"The prince? Oh, now I know if you had eyes for royalty you wouldn't even be talking to a woman like me. No, honey, I meant the rich people from the city, behind the castle." she clasped her hands and gazed at me, I believe she thought I was cute. "I am sorry, I think I am a tad confused. What city? Do you mean another kingdom?" Mrs Toyomitsu's smiled dropped and she seemed disappointed, muttering, "My, my, your parents really didn't teach you anything." then speaking directly to me, "Darlin', I think you should read up on this kingdom yerself, our library maybe quaint and nothing compared to whatever they have up in the city, but I'm positive there'll be some useful information in there. Until then, I'll give you the debrief."

"I am sorry, I am confused again. What are you explaining to me? The kingdom? I was under the impression that this was the whole kingdom." I noted to myself that I really needed to start reading books. "Heavens no, if that were true, what would be the need for that big castle? No, I'll explain the kingdom to you."

"Where we're standin' - or sittin' if yer me - is one of the five districts in the Amijiki kingdom-

"Wait, the king named the kingdom after himself?"
I supposed it kind of made sense but I had never heard anyone call this kingdom by its name. "Indeed he did, it used to be called somethin' different until he became in charge, but we don't speak that name anymore. Now, how on earth do you know the king's name, but not anything else about this place?"